Apparatus for packing fruit and the like



Sept. 8, 1925. i 1,552,943 J. H- MooRHousE l APPARATUS FOR PACKING FRUIT AND THE LIKEI Filed sept. s, 192.4 s sheets-shear 1 l Z1 ,j l 56 v l l 46 I 33 l l o 5, 1 51 3 o o 46 Z Z? ff 45 1 w 45 )In IN1 46 0^ l d y 9 I) l) j) e l e JNVENToR. cfobzjoroue .BMQZQKAW /LSA TToRNEY Sept. 8, 1925. 1,552,943

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IH l Il l Alli All l J. H. MooRHOusE APPARATUS FOR PACKING FRUIT AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 5, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 'i v INVENTOR. ZM //wryzom e l /zsATmm/EY,

BYMafCW y J. HA MoRHoUsE Sein. s, '1925.

. APPARATUS FOR. PACKING FRUIT AND THE`LIKE' Filed Sept. 5, 1924 s sheets-shut :s

BYJMM @M l lgs ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 8, 1925.

UNITED STATES JOI-IN H. 'MOORHOUSEL 0F ONTARIO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB. OF ONE-THIRD TQ FRED J. DE LASS, OF ONTARIO, NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FO'R PACKING FRUIT A ND THE LIKE.

Application led September 5, 1924. Serial No. 736,085.

To all whom it may conce/m.'

Be it known that I, JOHN H. Mooiufrousn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ontario, in the county of Arayne and State of New York, have invented vcertain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Packing Fruit and the like; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the reference numerals marked thereon.

This invention relates to apparatus for packing articles, such `as fruit, in containers for market and, more particularly, to what are known as facing devices, for arranging an attractively uniformi layer of articles, such as apples, at the end of a barrel or other container which is to be eventually V opened for disp-lay. One Object of the in* vention is to provide an eiiicient and convenient. device of this nature by means of which a facing layer may be deposited on a closed end of a container from the open end thereof while the latter is uppermost, without `rerpuiring inversion of the container for this purpose or reaching down into the same, as necessary with many prior devices O t this general class. Another object is to providesuch a device capable of depositing a facing layer yarranged to closely fit the end of the container with the outermost.

articles of the layer in Contact with the con-v tainer sides, to maintain the arrangement of the layer during `shipment ofthe container. Another object is to provide a device ,of this character having extended hanf die means by which it may be conveniently lowered into a container, together with de- Vices controlled from the handle for `effect-v ingrelease `and deposit of the layer in proper arrangement in the bottom of the container. A further object is `the provision of a facing device having` automatic means for quickly effecting such release and deposit of the article layer. Still a further object is `the provision of a `facing device adapted to be temporarily located on the open top of the container while the articles are being ar.- ranged .on supporting means adapted to be automatically and quickly` removed to deposit the layer on the bottom of the container in closely fitting relation withl the sides.

To these and other ends the invention Figure 2 is a central sectional elevation of the apparatus showing the article layer deposited on the container bottom.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view partly in section from the line .3k-3 in Figure l.

Figure t is a detailed perspective view of Ia portion of the handle means for the apparatus.

Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged side eleva+ tions of releasing devices tripped by contact with the container bottom.

Figure 7 is a sectional plan view on the line 'Ta- 1 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the appa ratus partly in section on the line Sl-.Sa lin Figure 2.

Figure 9 is `a similar view on the line 9&-92 in Figure 2, and A Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional detail on line 10a-10a in Figure 9.

ySimilar' reference numerals throughout the `several views indicate the same parts.`

The embodiment of the invention herein disclosed by way of illustration of the -principles involved compri-ses, preferably, a

frame having la body `portion 15 with a headk f and formsof construction, depending upon particular applications and the mechanics choice of means. Dependingfrom hoop 15 t are spaced legs 18, of which-there are three in the prese-nt instance, and these legs carry at their llower ends a plurality of members 'for supporting the `article layer adapted `to be removably arranged across the frame or hoop to support a cover pad 19 on which the articlesV or apples 20 are laid.

ards 17 downwardly along legs 18 and through suitable guides orv slio-ts at the bottom of the latter, as shown. The straps 21 at this end are provided with rings 23, Figure 7, for releasablysec-uring the straps in supporting position diametrically across the frame, as shown .in Figure 9, so that together they afford ample support for the pad 19.

. The devices for releasably securing the straps in extended supporting position are preferably of an automatic nature obviating any necessity for reaching into the container. These devices comp-rise inthe present instance channel shaped extensions 24, Figures 5, 6 and 7, depending from hoop 15 slightly below legs 18 and formed with apertures 25 as shown. Slidably guided in each extension 24 is a plate 26 having an opening 27 with a finger 28 extending down into the opening. In their lowermost position in the extensions 24, plates 26 project below the extensions for contact with the container end and in such positions their :lingers 28 extend across the extension openings 25. Plates 26 have angular ends 29 extending above the hoop to serve as stops and handles. It is apparent from this construction that straps 21 may be' preliminarily drawn across the frame to engage their terminal rings 23 with the iingers 28 of the corresponding releasing devicesv and when the frame is lowered into the container, contact with the end of the latter automatically raises plates 26 relative to the hoop to disengage the lingers from the rings and thus simultaneously release the ends of all of the straps for removal or retraction toward the sides of the container to deposit the pad 19 and the article layer on the container end.

The head 16 preferablyucomprises a disk 30 to whichv standards 17 are secured, as by means of bolts 31, and there is secured to the disk also, as by means of screws 32, a socket. element 33 having pairs of spaced wings 34 between which the upper ends of' the support-ing members are secured as at 35. Screwed `at its lower end into a socket in member 33 is an upwardly extended tubutar handle 36 terminating at its upper end in a cap 37, this handle affording convenient 657 between the head 16 and the legs 18 as shown.

ure 3, in which the round portion of the spindle has a rotating fit and it is apparent from this construction that when rotated to the position shown in Figure 2, the spindle slides freely in the slot in the handle. When at the bottom of the latter however the spindle may be rotated to the position shown in Figure 3 in which itis releasably retained in lower position on the handle. The ends of the spindle are tit-ted with convenient handles 46 by which it may be grasped for rotating it and also sliding it vertically with its sleeve 38. VI-Ioused within the tubular handle 36 is a coiled compression spring 47 bearing at one end against spindle 42 and at the other against socket member 33. vIt is apparent from this construction that by means of handle 46, the spider 39 may be lowered to slacken straps 21 for extension 0f their lower ends across the frame in supporting position in which they are releasably secured as described by the fingers 28. Such lowering of sleeve 38 and spider 39 compresses spring 47 so that upon release it is adapted to pull up4 upon straps 21 for retracting the latter. Handles 46, however, may be rotated when in lower position to engage the spindle in, the circular enlargements at the bottom of slots 43 to hold the spring under compression and aviod tensioning the straps while they :are being secured in supporting position and until it is desired to lower the apparatus in the container for depositing the article layer. y

' Means are provided also for temporarily supporting hoop 15 on the open upper end of the barrelv comprising, preferably, a plurality of studs 48 sliding horizontally in openings 49 at spaced points about the periphery of the hoop. These studs are notched as at 50 for releasable engagement with the chime of the barrel and :are carried by means of springs 51 fixed to the hoop and tending to press the studs inwardly of the lat-ter. By manually pressing the studs outwardly and engaging their notches with the barrel, the apparatus may be conveniently supported on topof the latter for the arrangement of the pad and `article layer o'n the straps. In such position the weight of the, apparatus retains the notched studs in engagement with the barrel until the laying ofthe articles is completed, when a slight lifting of the ap-` paratus releases Lthe studs for automatic inward movement to clear the Vbarrel so thatr the apparatus may then be freely lowered into it. Y y' In operation, the handles 46 are first moved downwardly and then rotated to compress and hold the spring 47 and slacken the supporting members or straps 21 Which latter are then extended across the bottom of the frame and secured by the devices comprising the ngers 28. The apparatus is then located on top of the container as described and the pad 19 placed on the straps 21. The articles are quickly arranged in a facing layer, the outer articles of Which may be laid in close contact with the side Walls of the container, since 'the layer is supported below the hoop 15 by the legs 18 depending therefrom. The apparatus is then lifted slightly to release it `from the upper end of the container and is then conveniently lowered into the same and when the plates 26 contact with the container end, the supporting straps are all simultaneously and automatically released. Spring 47 quickly removes or retracts straps 21, as it forces sleeves 38 upwardly, thereby 'depositing the articles evenly on the bottom of the container and in closely fitting relation with its sides. The apparatus may then be Withdrawn and the container filled.

Itis apparent from the above description or' the construction and its operation that the device is practical in character and adapted to greatly reduce the time and effort required to place the facing layer in the container, as Well as to afford a closely litting layer capable of retaining its arrangement during shipment. The automatic devices for releasing and retracting the supports for the layer to deposit the same in place further reduce the expenditure of labor and expedite the operation, whereby a substantial economy is eiiected as Well as improvement in the result obtained.

I claim as my invention 1. An article packing apparatuscomprising a frame, supporting members adapted to be removably arranged across the same in supporting osition, and devices releasably securing saidD members in supporting position provided With means for actuation by contact with the Wall of a container in which the apparatus is placed for automatically releasing said members for removal.

2. An article packing apparatus comprising a frame, supporting members adapted to be removably arranged across the same in supporting position, devices for releasably securing said members in supporting position, and automatic means for removing said members from supporting position upon release by said devices.

3. An article packing apparatus comprising a frame, supporting members adapted to be removably arranged across the same in supporting position, automatic means for removing said members from supporting position and releasable means for restraining the action of said automatic means.

4. An article packing apparatus comprising a frame having `handle means for lowering the same into a container, supporting members adapted torbe removably arranged across the frame in supporting position, automatic means for removing said members from supporting position, and control means on said handle means for controlling the action of said automatic means.

5. An article packing apparatus comprising a frame having a handle means for lowering the same into a container, supporting members adapted to be removably arranged across the frame in supporting position, devices for releasably securing said members in supporting position, automatic means for removing said members from supporting position When released by said devices, and control means on said handle means for controlling the action of said automatic means.

(i. An article packing apparatus comprising a frame, supportingmembers adapted to be removably arranged acrossthe same in supporting position, devices releasably securing said members in supporting position provided with means for actuation by contact with the Wall of a container in which the apparatus is placed for automatically releasing said members for removal, and automatic means for removing said members when released by said devices.

7. An article packing apparatus comprising a frame having handle means` for lowering the same into a container, supporting members adapted to be removably arranged across the frame in supporting position, devices for releasably securing said members in supporting position, and control means on said handle means for controlling removal of said members.

8. An article packing apparatus comprising a frame, supporting members carried by the frame and adapted to be removably arranged on the frame in position for supporting a layer of articles to be packed With the outer articles of said layer in close contact With the Walls of a container, and devices for removing said members from supporting position to deposit said layer of articles in a container.

9. An article packing apparatus comprising a. frame having handle means for lowering the same into a container, supporting members on the frame adapted to be removably arranged across the bottom of the same in position forI supporting a layer of articles to be packed with the outer articles of said layer in contact with the side Walls of the container, and devices for removing said members from supporting position toward the sides of said frame.

10. An article packingapparatus comprising a frame adapted to be inserted from above into the bottom of a container to be packed and having spaced legs depending therefrom about the periphery of the container bottom, supporting members carried by said legs and adapted to be removably arranged across the frame in position for support-inga layer of articles to be packed with the outer articles of said layer in con tact with the container sides between said legs, and devices for removing said members from support-ing position toward the sides of the frame for depositing' said layer of articles on the container bottom.

ll. An article packing apparatus comprising a frame having depending legs and handle means for lowering the same intoa container, supporting members carried by said legs and adapted to be removably arranged across the bottom of the frame in position for supporting a layer` of articles to be packed, and devices on said handle means for removing said members from support-ing position to deposit said layer of articles on the container bottom.

12. An article packing apparatus comprising a frame having depending legs and handle means for lowering the same into a container, flexible members carried by said legs and adapted to be extended across the bottom of said frame for supporting a layer of articles to be packed, devices for releasably securing said members in supporting position and operating means on said handle means for .retracting said members at the sides of thevframe and depositing said layer of articles on the bottom of the container.

13. An article packing apparatus comprising a frame having depending legs and handle means for lowering the same into a container, iiexiblemembers carried by said legs and adapted to be extended across the bottom of said frame for supporting a layer of articles to be packed, devices-for securing said members in supporting position provided with means actuated automatically by contact with the container bottom for releasing said members, automatic means for retracting said members vwhen released, and cont-rol means on said handle means for controlling said automatic means.

14. In an article packing apparatus, the combination of a frame having depending legs, a tubular handle for lowering said frame into a container, means :tor temporarily sustaining the frame on the top of the container, flexible members carried by the frame for extension over said legs across the frame in position to support a layer of articles to be packed with the outermost articles of the layer against the container sides, devices for securing said members in supporting position adapted to be tripped by contact with a container bottom to automatically release said members, spring means in said handle connected with said members to retract the saine when released by said devices and means ony said handle for controlling said spring means.

JOHN H. MOORHOUSE. 

